Stacking device



INVNTOR 4 sheets-Sheet 1 MICHAEL FIEHL ATTORNEY M. FIEHL STACKING DEVICE Filed peo. 29, 19Go Oct. 22, 1963 M. FIEHL 3,107,912

STACKING DEVICE Filed Deo. 29, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4o FIGA cLuTcH C'- w -I a 13o |32 F bf-RCE uc.

l R 55 R2 es es oct. 22, 1963 y M. Fu-:HLf 3,107,912

STACKING DEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1960 4 sheets-sheet 4 FIG.9

United States Patent 3,107,912 STACKENG DEVECE Michael Fichi, East Vestal, NX., assigner to International Business Machines Corpcration, New York, NSY., a corporation of New York Filed Bec. 29, 1%0, Ser. No. 79,317 20 Claims. (Si. 271-83) This invention relates generally to stacking devices and more particularly to devices for ejecting document stacks formed in positionable self-adjusting d-ocument stackers.

In present-day data processing machines, large quantities of documents such as punch cards are required to be repeatedly processed through the machines to obtain thc information contained on the cards as needed. The current trend is, therefore, to develop machines which will rapidly process the large number of documents that must be scanned for the information. As the processing speed is increased, one of the diiiculties encountered is that of removing the documents from the machine after processing. This is especially evident with regard to machines performing a sorting operation where, for instance, the machine can process documents at the rate of 2,000 per minute.

A machine operator can hope to obtain machine capacity only by maintaining documents in the supply hopper and by removing processed documents from the stacking pocket or stacker enabling constant processing. This necessitates conscientious effort and eicient physical movement by the operator. As a rule of thumb, a person can conveniently grasp 500 to 700 documents as a handful, either for supplying the hopper or emptying the stacker. 'Ihus, if a machine can process 2,000 documents per minute, the operator must place three or four handfuls in the hopper and remove three or four handfuls from the stacker each minute. During this time, he must also choose the proper file trays from which to select the documents and in Which to replace the cards. He is further required to control the machine by changing the steps to be performed as processing progresses. In addition to these duties, he may be responsible for operating one or more additional machines. Although machines processing documents at this speed usually have a plurality of stacking pockets into which documents are deposited somewhat evenly according to machine instructions, instances often occur in which a single pocket will receive a definite majority of the documents processed or several pockets Will become full nearly simultaneously. Consequently, irregular document removal may be encountered.

The eiciency of both operator and machine can be substantially improved then if the quanti-ty of documents accumulated in the stacker is increased and if the quantity of documents removed from the stacker each time could also be increased. Since a file tray used for storage holds approximately 3,000 documents it is desirable to accumulate this quantity in a stacker before removal, then to transfer the stack quickly and safely by a single operation into a tile tray so that a machine operator Would spend only the minimum of time in removing documents, avoiding the transfer of documents in handful lots.

However, when stacker capacity is increased from that presently used, document jams occur at the stacker entrance. The support plate for the documents in a stacker pocket, commonly called stacker plate, is resilicntly supported to maintain the top of the accumulating stack at a predetermined level. Documents in the stacker are ordinarily confined on three sides to maintain an orderly stack easy to grasp. Thus, as the capacity is increased beyond that presently used, the frictional contact increases between the documents and stacker sides so that the stacker plate does not depress linearly with weight ice as designed, permitting the top of the stack to rise too far and interfere with incoming documents. Therefore, some positive control of the stacker plate is necessary before increased capacity can be realized.

If the stacking pocket capacity can be increased to hold the equivalent of a le tray of documents, then there must be provided a means of transferring this large quantity of documents quickly and safely Vto receptacles such as the file tray.V The accumulated documents must some-y how be removed from the pocket as a stack before placing them into ya receptacle. Therefore, a device for transferring a stack of documents out of the stacker pocket to a tray loading position is also necessary.

Although the stacker capacity be increased and a means be available to remove the documents from the stacker, the machine operator may not be immediately free to remove the documents when a stacking pocket becomes full. Machine eiliciency would thus be improved When the ejection of `a stack is accomplished automatically, permitting the stacker to begin receiving processed documents even though the accumulated stack has not been removed from an ejected position and stored by the operator. This automatic operation would permit an operator Wider discretion in distributing his time among his assigned duties, and result in improved machine efficiency by decreasing stop time. v

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a device'for automatically forming document stacks in a stacking pocket and ejecting those stacks from the pocket.v

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved document stacking device.

Other important objects of the present invention are:

To provide an improved device for automatically moving -a stacker plate to maintainV the level of documents on the stacker plate within predetermined limits; v

To provide a stacking device invwhich the stacker plate lis positively 4adjusted while documents accumulate there- To provide a stacking device in which the stacker plate yautomatically returns toits initial document receiving position when a stack of documents has been ejected therefrom; y

To provide a stacking device in which the deposition of documents therein is interrupted While the stacker plate is returning towards its initial document receiving position when a stack of documents has -been removed therefrom;

To provide ,a device for automatically ejecting a predetermined quantity of documents as a stack from a stacking pocket; x

To provide a device for yejecting a document stack from a stacking pocket which transfers the stack to a convenient handling position;

To provide `a device for ejecting an increased quantity of documents from a stacking pocket; f

To provide a stack eject device which will automatically return to a stack eject position when a prior ejected. stack has been removed therefrom; e

To-provide a device to joggle documents deposited in a stacking pocket to form an :orderly stack of documents preparatory for -automatic removal and;

To provide a device for joggling documents in a stacker pocket Which vautomatically controls the level of an accumulating stack of documents within predetermined limits.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, this invention provides ya stacking pocket having a variable support means' onwhich documentsy accumulate as they are deposited Within the stacking, pocket. The support meansfis moved by an"adjusting means within tvvo fixed limits of travel in accordance with the quantity of documents that have accumulated on the support means. The adjustment of the support means is controlled by means operative to actuate a source of rotary power for the adjusting means as determined by the quantity of accumulated documents and ,thereby maintain the level of documents within predetermined limits. As the variable support means nears its second limit of travel, indicating that a capacity stack of documents has accumulated thereon, a transfer means intercepts the document stack and transfers it to a receptacle means, and at the same time the deposition of documents is interrupted. The receptacle `means is mounted on a resiliently supported base assembly responsive to the presence of documents in the receptacle means, and the base assembly carries the transferred stack of documents to an eject position. `Upon removal of the document stack vfrom the Variable support means, other means cooperate to automatically return the support means to its first limit of travel preparatory to resuming the deposition of documents within the stacking pocket. The ejected stack of documents may then be removed from the receptacle means and the base means returns the emptied receptacle means to a transfer position for receiving another stack of documents.

The invention has several significant features. If the eject receptacle is not unloaded by a machine operator while the receptacle is lin its eject position, the feeding of documents is automatically terminated prior to the time that the stacker plate reaches its lower l-imit or transfer position. A retaining panel is operated as the stack receptacle moves to its eject position to assure that the stack will remain in the receptacle until intentionally removed therefrom. Also, the stack receptacle may be tilted to empty the ejected stack from the receptacleinto a suitable container such as a tile tray.

Several advantages in handling document stacks are obtained by the present invention. Since the operation of forming and ejecting a stack of documents is automatic, the full time attention of a machine operator is not required. The stacker is essentially self-controlled. Furthermore, because the stacker plate is adjusted according to the level of documents accumulated in the stacking pocket, larger quantities of documents may be stacked in a pocket, and the probability of incoming documents `interfering with stacked documents is substantially decreased. The increased quantity of documents handled by an operator permits a more efficient utilization of machine time and the operators time.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyting drawings.

In the drawings: Y

FIGURE l is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device for forming and ejecting document stacks with retaining panels removed on one side of a stacking pocket.

FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view of theadjustable stacker plate of the device in FIGURE l, shown near its extreme lower-position.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the document stack ejecting mechanism of FIG. 1 shown approaching its eject position.

FIGURE 3a'is a side elevation view of the base of the ejectirng mechanism 'relative to a stacking pocket.

FIGURE 4 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuits for the stack forming and ejecting device in FIG. 1.

FIGURE 5 is a rear elevation View of an alternate embodiment of a stack forming 'mechanism operable with the stack eject mechanism shown in FIG. l. j

FIGURE 6 isa partial side elevation view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 5.

FIGURE 7 is a partiallsectional viewV of the stackerV plate undercarriage shown in FIG.` 6.

FIGURE 8 is a partial sectional view of the stacker plate of FIG. 5 shown engaged for return to its extreme General Description The rst embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. This embodiment generally comprises a stacking pocket 26 having at the rear of the pocket, a vertically supported worm 28, rotatable in either direct-ion. A movable end plate 21, called a stacker plate, is threadedly attached to the worm 28, :guided by strips 26 and can be adjusted vertically in accordance with Y the amount and direction of rotation of worm 23. Documents D are deposited on stacker plate 21 by feed rolls R and control circuits lower the stacker plate by controlling the rotation of motor 46 as it drives lworm 28. Disposed adjacent stacking pocket 20 is a stack receptacle 25 mounted on a resiliently supported base 81. An intercept or transfer plate 8d, fixed in stack receptacle 25, is disposed in the path of sta-cker Vplate 21and adapted to pass through a cnt-out in the stacker plate. As the stacker plate is lowered by worm 28 through control circuits, transfer plate intercepts the documentstack supported on the stacker plate. The transfer plate also serves as the stack rest Iin the stack receptacle. The weight of documents in stack receptacle '25 then causes resi-liently supported base 81 to com'- press spring -93 and tilt downwardly about pin 9d, permitting stack receptacle 25 to slide to the right against stop 93 (see dot-and-dash line position, FIG. l). Other control circuits cause stacker plate 21 tok be returned to upper position after stack transfer has taken place, and also terminate the deposition of documents within the stacking pocket while the stacker plate is being re-l turned.

Stacking and Ejeczing Device v Referring now to FIG. 1, aforementioned documents D are schematically illustrated as being deposited by the feed rolls R in a stacking pocket 2t), as is well-known in the document processing art. Feed rolls R are close to the pocket entrance and may be operated by any suitable arrangement such asl gears G rotated by worm W,

which is Vactuated by a motor M suitably connected the pocket, and to form a retainer along the front edge 1 of the stack. Strips 26 (only oneis shown) are secured to side panels` 22 and 2.3 to dually serve as a rear wall of the pook-et and as a guide for stacker plate-21 as it is moved along a vertical path. Stacker plate 2d?.k is giided on strips 26 by notches 27 cut in the stacker p ate.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stacker plate is adapted to move vertically within the stacker pocket according to the quantity of cards stacked thereon, and is supported for Ithis movement on a worm having unthreaded portions 29 and 3d adjacent each end of the worm. Stacker plate 2l is threaded'ly attached to worin 28 through a depending carriage assembly comprised of side plates S2. welded to the underside of the stacker plate, and a pair of spaced, internally threaded nuts 33` and 34 (FlG. 2) ywhich threadedly fit worm 2S. Thus, since strips 26 permit the stacker plate to move only in a ver-tical path without rotation and because'the side plates 32, and nuts 33 and 34 are rigidly attached to the stacker plate, rotation of the worin will cause the stacker plate to move in either an upward or downward direction, depending on the direction of rotation. The worm is vertically supported for rotation by thrust bearings in support arms 35 and 36. Bi-directional rotation of the worm is accomplished by using a reversible electric motor 48 connected to the worm Ithrough appropriate gearing, such as bevel gears il and d2.

The travel of stacker plate 2l is limited at each end of the worm by unthreaded portions 29' and 3i), mentioned above. Unthreaded portion 29'v is equipped with a floating washer 43 and a helical compression spring 44, each being easily slidable along portion 29 between the threaded portion 2S and support arm 36. Unthreaded portion 3@ is similarly equipped with a floating washer 46 and a helical compression spring 45, `also adapted to slide between the end of the threaded worm portion 2.8 and support arm 35. As motor d@ rotates worm 23 through the bevel gears il and 4Z in a forward direction, nuts 33 and 34 luu'll travel downwardly carrying stacker plate 21, and as rotation of the worm is continued, the nuts will successively drop off the threaded portion 28 so that nut 34 will come to rest on iioating washer 43 which, in turn, rests upon spring 44. Continued rotation in the forward direction of shaft 23 causes no further lowering of stacker plate 21 with its supporting undercarriage` of plates 32 and nuts 33 and 34. Spring 44;- is of suficient strength, however, to constantly urge nut 33 into yengagement with threaded portion 28 when there are no documents on the stacker plate. When worm 2S Vis rotated in a reverse direction by motor 4t?, nut 33 will engage the threads of the worm and also cause the subsequent engagement of nut 34 ,with the threads of the worm. Continued reverse rotation of the worm, therefore, carries stacker plate 2l and its supporting assembly of plates 32, nuts 33 and '34 to fthe upper Unthreaded portion 3G, where nuts 33 and 34 again become disengaged from threaded portion 2S. At the upper limit of travel, stacker plate 221 engages tioating washer 46 and causes the iioating washer and spring 45 to move upward against support arm 35. However, spring 45 constantly urges nut 34 against the threads on worm 28 for engagement therewith when the worm is rotated in .the forward direction. lt can be seen that stacker plate 2l can be moved positively between upper and lower limits of travel and automatically engaged and disengaged with the worm at each limit.

The amount and direction of rotation of motor dit and worm 2S are controlled through the actuation of various switches now to be described. With particular reference to FiGS. l and 4, there is shown a slide member S-having elongated holes 5l therein. Guide pins 5,2, which may bemounted in the rear edge of side panel 23, extend through holes 5l to deiine a path of travel for slide member Sil. Collars 53 may be iixed to pins 52 to confine slide member 5t? against lateral movement. Slide member Sill, through its position and by means of rear projections 5d, operates motor switch 55 by positioning switch arm S6 in either an upper or lower position. Switch S5' merely conditions the motor 49 for operation in a forward or reverse direction, the motor being conditioned for forward rotation when lthe switch -is in the upper or shown position (seeFiG. 4). Slide member 50 is moved between its upper and lower positions by the Vrear ledge 57 of stacker plate 2l engaging projection 5S or projection 59, depending upon the position ofstacker plate 2l. For example, .when stacker plate 2li is carried to its upper position, ledge 57 .will engageprojection 53 and move the slide member to the position shown. Conversely, when stacker plate 21 is in its lowermost position, ledge 57 will engage projection 59 and move slide member Sil downward causing reversal of the motor. Any suitable detent, such as ball detent 6d, is used to engage notches 61 and 62 to maintain the slide member Si? in the position to which it is moved. Accordingly, the slide member will remain in a set position while stacker plate 2l is at any intermediate location between its two extremes of travel.

The amount of motor rotation is controlled through the operation of switches 65 and 66 connected in parallel. Switch 65, having a -rockable arm 67 is used to constantly sense the top of document stack S and intermittently energize motor 40 to cause worm 28 lto lower stacker yplate 21 as necessary and maintain the top of the document stack within predetermined limits. As documents -D are deposited successively atop one another, the level of the stack becomes higher and causes switch arm 67 to rock in a counterclockwise direction and close the contacts of switch 65. In FIG. 4, the closure of switch 65 completes a circuit from ground through switch 65, the coil of relay R2, battery B and return to ground. Thus, relay R2 will be energized and close contacts b to complete a circuit from an electrical source through contacts b, switch 55, which has been set for forward rotation, motor40 and return to the source. The rotation or worm 21S produced Iby motor itl lowers the stacker plate carrying document stack S away from switch 65 and will permit switch 65 to eventually open the circuit to relay R2, thus stopping motor 40'. 'In this manner, as documents D are deposited in stacker pocket 2i?, lswitch arm 67 causes intermittent rotation of motor 49. in a forward direction as long as switch `arm 56 remains in the position shown in FIG. 1. v

Switch 66a, while -being connected in parallel with switch 65, is employed to control the rotation of motor dit when the motor is conditioned by switch 55 for reverse rotation. As the stacker plate reaches Unthreaded portion 29 of worm 28, rear l-edge 57 engages projection 59 on slide member 50. When nut 33 drops oir" the threaded portion of worm 28, slide member Si# is moved to i-ts lower position, causing switch 55 to condition the motor for reverse rotation. The downward movement of the slide member does not operate directly to close the contacts of switch 66, but is merely a prerequisite to the operation of the switch. As seen in FIGS. l and 2, there is interposed between the slide member and switch a three-armed lever 70 mounted on pivot y69 and having arms 71, 72 and 73. ALever '7d is constantly urged in a counterclockwise direction by spring V7d forcing arm 72 against edge -75 of the slide member. Ordinarily, when the slide member has been moved to its lower position, there would be norestraint to the rotation of lever 7i) permitting the contacts of switch 66 to close, since cutout 76 inthe slide member is aligned with arm 72 of lever 70. However, when slide member Silpis pushed downward, nut 34 rests on arm 73 preventing rotation of lever 70'. The interaction of nut Stand lever 73 provides an interlock to prevent Vreverserotation of motor 4i? before document stack S has been removed from stacker plate 2,1. As long as document stack is sitting onthe stacker plate, spring 44 cannot raise the stacker plate and its undercarriage so that leveril cannot rotate to closethe contacts 'of switch 66. Upon removal ofV thedocument stack from the stacker plate by transfer plate *80, andV an eject mechanismftobe described, spring y4d can force nut 33 into contact with the bottom` of the threads on -Worm `23. This limited upward movement of fthe stacker plate and itsundercarriage is suiiicientf to permit lever 70 tozrotate and close switch 66.

The closure of switch 66 energizes relay R2, shown inV y FIG. 4, -to complete a lcircuit for motor 4o, which has been conditioned for reverserotation by the depression of'switch arm '56 on switch 55. from ground, through closed switch `66, the pick coil of The relaycircuit is relay R2 and battery B- to ground. Relay R2, when picked, closes contact points IJ to complete a circuit to motor dil. The motor will continue to operate in a reverse direction engaging worm 23 with nuts 33 and 34 to raise stacker plate 2l toward its upper extreme position. Reverse rotation will continue until ledge 57 on stacker plate 2l engages projection 5S to raise slide member 50. As the slide member is raised, edge'75 will contact arm 72 and rotate arm 7@ in a clockwise direction to open switch 66' and break the circuit to relay R2 which permits contact points b to open and stop motor ell. At the same time slide member Si) is raised to its upper position; switch arm 56 is also raised to condition motor it? for forward rotation.

The movement of the slide member also controls the document feeding mechanism by closing or opening switch ed, which controls clutch CL. When ledge 57 moves the slide member downward, switch 68 is closed so that it completes a circuit to relay R1 (FIG. 4) to break the circuit to electromagnetic clutch CL. This circuit is from ground through battery B, line 13S, switch 63, the pick coil of relay R1 and back to ground. Energized relay Rl opens contact points a to break the circuit from an electrical source to clutch CL and, thus stop the deposition of documents D in the stacking pocket. The document feeding mechanism will remain stopped until slide member Sil has been returned to its upper position by ledge 57 on stacker plate Z1. At that time, switch (r3 will be opened so that relay Rl is no longer energized, thus permitting contact points a to close.- Documents will then begin to accumulate again on stackerplate 21 to form a stack. n

The mechanism for removal of a completed stack of documents from stacker plate 21 to an eject position will now be described. The stack ejection'is accomplished generally through the cooperation of receptacle 25, trans- 8.2, in elect, operates as a front retainer for pocket 20 when in the position shown in FlGURE `1 and as a stack support when a document stack is ejected. A ybase 84, which may be formed from an extension of side panel 83, serves as a support for the stack receptacle. 'iransfer` plate Sil is attached to side panels 82 and 83 to extend horizontally beyond the left edge (FIGURE 1) of the panel S3 into the path of stacker plate 2l. The stacker plate has a U or V-shaped cut-out 85, however, so that, as the stacker plate is moved downwardly, transfer plate 80 will pass through the cut-out S5- and intercept` the document stack resting onthe stacker plate. It is to be noted that the stacker plate does not extend forward Vto panel S2, but is short enough to permit transfer plate Si? to be secured to both panels 82 and 83.y Transfer plate Si? is formed in a complementary conguration to that of stacker plate 21. Transfer plate dil is located (FlG. 2) immediately below the lowest thread of worm 2S. The reason for this will be discussed below when y the stack transfer is described.

The base means S1 `for receptacle 2S will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 3a. A C-shaped mem-` ber 9&1 is pivoted for movement about pin 91 suitably secured, for instance, in sidewalls 22 and 23, above the bottom of panels 22 and 23, withmembers 90 axially positioned thereon by means of collars 92. FlGfSa shows the vertical position of member drelatiye to the side panels of stacking pocket Ztl. llvicmber is urged in a counterclockwise direction aboutpin 91 by spring 93, and has a pair of inwardly turned flanges 94. Slidably'disposed'within member @il is an inverted U-shaped channel 95, the edges of which extend under tlanges 94, Channel Q5 is constantly urged to the left by spring 96, seen in FIG. 2, secured to member 99 and channel 95. Receptacle support 3d is secured to inverted channel member through hinge 97.

When there is no document stack in stack receptacle 25, springs 93 and 96 are sufficient to move member 90 to a horizontal position and channel 95 to the left, re.

spectively, as shown in FlGURE 1. These springs however, are sufficiently weak, so that when the stack receptacle contains a stack-of documents, they'are overcome to permit member 99 to tilt downwardly in a clockwise direction, causing spring 96 to be yovercome to thereby ermit channel 95 to move outwardly and downtilted member 9d to an eject position, indicated by phantom lines in FiG. 1. The outward partial movement of channel 95 is illustrated in FIGURE 3. Stop brackets 98 and 99 are providedV to coact with each other and limit the outward travel of channel 95.

When the stack receptacle moves outwardly toward the eject position, there may be a tendency for the documents resting on transfer member Sil in receptacle 25 to fall out the open side of the'receptacle before removal of the i stack. Therefore, a movable auxiliary panel '110 is provided (FIG. 3) to serve as a retainer ,for the ejected stack. Panel Silit is pivotally mounted on pin 111 secured in base element 112. The auxiliary panel normally remains in a vertical position adjacentand parallel with side panel 23. An upright support 113 having rollers 114 and 115 mounted thereon by arms 116 and 117, respectively, holds the auxiliary panel against side panel 2,3 and guides the auxiliary panel when it is -tilted outwardly.

The auxiliary retaining panel moves outwardly automatically with the stack receptacle as the latter moves toV its eject position. When a document stack is transferred to the stack receptacle, member 9o tilts downwardly as above described. Arm ll, fixed to auxiliary panel110, supports roller 119 under and adjacent channel member 9%. As member 9d rotates downwardly, it engages roller H9 and pivots panel 11G outwardly. However, member 99 does not tilt downwardly a sufcient -amount to keep panel llt? adjacent the transferred stack because re-V ceptacle 25 on channel member 95 slides outwardly andV a contained stack of documents would move beyond the. Therefore, pawl :120, xcd

receptacle 25. Roller 119 thereupon moves downwardly y away from member t).

-An ejected stack may be removed fromreceptacle 25 and directly deposited in a -le tray. The tile tray capacity is that of a full stack of documents in receptacle 2S;

In order to deposit the' stack in a filet-ray, the tray mayA be placed on end on surface 124 facing the document stack. However, prior to this, auxiliary panel 1d!) must l first be. released by depressing Iknob 125 to` let .the-auxiliary panel fall backwardly until roller 119 contacts Vchannel member 90. This action exposes the document stack in receptacle 25. The iile tray is tuen placed on surface 1324il and the receptacle tilted on hinge 97 to empty the documents into the lfile tray. After receptacle 25 isV returned to rest on channel 95 iand the filled letrayV removed, spring 93 urges member 9d upwardlyrto a horizontalpositio-n and channel 95 is urged inwardly towards V the stacker pocket by springg. Pawl 12it`slides rear;

wardly under latch 121 because block 123 holds fthe latch .suliiciently clear of the pawl when Vpanel 11d isA4 i member Sill is in, a horizontal upright and channel position.

The actual transfer of documents from stacker plate 21 to transfer plate Sil will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be recalled that, as rollers R deposite individual documents D in the stacking pocket, arm 67 of switch 65 constantly senses the level of documents accumulated on stacker plate 21. Switch 65, when its contacts are closed, completes a circuit to motor 46, which is conditioned for rotation in a forward direction to thus rotate worm 23 and lower stacker plate 21 as necessary. The intermittent lowering of stacker plate 21, controlled by switch 65, eventually carries the stacker plate to the lowermost threads of worm 2S, as seen in FIG. 2. As documents continue to accumulate, worm 28 will lower stacker plate 21 until nut 33 drops off the end of the worm. Since stacker plate 21 is no longer supported by the worm, the weight of the document stack S forces the stacker plate downwardly carrying nut 34 against floating washer 43 and against end 73 of lever '70, and at the same time, permitting transfer plate S to pass through cut-out S5 in stacker plate 21. Therefore, as the stacker plate begins to fall freely, transfer plate 5i) intercepts the stack of documents S, removing the weight of the document stack from stacker plate 21. Although the weight of the document stack is primarily on transfer plate S9, the stack also prevents spring 4-4 from pushing nut 33 upwardly into engagement with the lowermost thread of worm 2d. lt will be remembered that when nut 33 dropped o the lowermost thread on worm 2S, rear ledge 57 of the stacker plate also moved slide member Sil downwardly, bringing cut-out '76 into alignment with arm 72 to permit lever 76 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and close the contacts of switch 66. However, the motor cannot be energized because the weight of document stack S maintains nut 33 below the lowermost thread on the worm 2S and nut 34 restrains any rotation of lever 7d.

As soon as the document stack has been deposited on transfer member Si?, the weight of the stack in receptacle 25 is suiiicient to overcome spring 93, thereby permitting member 96 to rotate downwardly and begin to carry stack S away from stacker plate 21. This motion causes stack S to move arcuately over the outer ends of stacker plate 21 and maintain nut 33 out of engagement with the lowermost threads of worm 28 and also restrict lever 7l? in its clockwise position to keep the contacts of switch 66 open. When channel member 9% has tilted downwardly to its limit, channel 95 then begins to slide outwardly carrying receptacle 25 and the contained stack of documents. As soon as the document stack clears the ends of stacker plate 21, spring d urges washer d3 and nuts 33 and 34 upwardly, bringing nut 33 into engagement with the lowermost thread of worm 28 and permitting lever 7i) to move sufiiciently in a counterclockwise direction so that arm '.11 no longer maintains switch 66 in an open position. Thus, since slide member 59 is in its lower position, the motor 4i) is conditioned for reverse rotation and switch 66 completes the circuit to the motor.l The motor continues to operate in a reverse direction until stacker plate 21 rises to its upper limit, where rear ledge 57 engages projection 5S on the slide member 5@ to move the slide member to its upper position, causing edge 75 to engage arm 72 of lever 7@ and again open the contacts of switch 65 to thereby open the circuit to motor et?. When slide member Si) is raised to its upper position, the contacts of switch 68 are permitted to close and cause resumption of the document feeding operation to repeat the process.

As seen from the above description, when stacker plate 21 Vis returned to its upper limit, the deposition of documents is automatically resumed. Furthermore, as the stack accumulates the stacker plate will be lowered towards its lowermost position. ln the meantime, a machine operator may not have removed an ejectedstack of documents from the receptacle and, for that condition, there is provided a safeguard to halt the feeding of documents into the stacker until receptacle 25 and transfer v10 plate have returned to the stack-receiving position; This safeguard is an interlock circuit comprised of switches and 132, which, when closed together, provide a completed circuit for a relay to break the circuit and disable clutch CL.

As shown in FIGS. l and 4, switch 136, having arm 131, is normally open and is located a short distance above the end of threads on worm 28. As stacker plate 21 progresses downwardly on worm 2S, rear ledge 57 rocks switch arm 131, thereby closing the contacts of the switch. This will occur every cycle of travel of stacker plate 21. The closure of switch 13) only partially completes a circuit to relay R1 controlling clutchCL, since switch 132 is in series with switch 130. Switch 132 is normally closed and is located on side panel 22 adjacent panel S3 of stack receptacle 25. Plunger 133 of switch 132 is normally held inwardly by a stop 134 secured to panel 83. If panel 33 is moved outwardly from panel 22, plunger 133 is forced outwardly by a spring (not shown) in switch 132 to thereby close the switch contacts. A circuit will then be completed from ground through battery B, line 139, switch 132, switch 130, the pick coil of relay R1, back to ground, to energize relay R1 and open contact points a in the clutch circuit to terminate document feeding. Therefore, since no more documents are fed onto the top of stack S, switch 65 will no longer energize motor dit lower stacker plate 21. As soon asl the previous stack of documents has been removed by an operator, receptacle 25 assumes its stack transfer position to open the contacts of switch 132fand break the relay circuit and allow contact points a to close and complete the clutch circuit. Thus, document stacking will be terminated if the eject receptacle is not properly positioned and will be started again as soon as the eject receptacle is restored. Y

In the document stacking operation, a special situation develops when a partial stack of documents is removed from the stacking pocket. This may occur at the completion of processing of a particular group of cards where a stacking pocket may contain only a partial stack, or the machine operator may desire to remove a partial stack of cards without waiting for the stacking pocket to become full. In this embodiment, when a partial stack of documents is removed from the stacking plate 21, it will be recalled that slide member 5t) is in its upper'position so that, as the contacts of switch 65 are closed, motor 4i? will rotate worm 2S in a forward direction to lower the stacker plate. The removal of a partial stackrof documents from the stacker plate, leaving the stacker plate in an intermediate position between its two extremes of travel, may result in leaving stacker plate 21 or the top of the remaining documents at too great a distance from the height atwhich cards enter the stacking pocket and causing the cards to come to rest on the stacker plate in a disorderly array. This possibility is avoided by providing knob 136 on slide member Sil, which the machine operator may grasp to manually depress the slide 'member to'its lower position, thus conditioning motor 40 for reverse rotation and permitting lever 70 to rotate in a counterclockwisedirection, closing contacts of switch 6,6. The contacts of switched will also be yciosed'to insure that no documents are deposited within the stacking pocket until stacker plate 21 has returned to its upper position. Thus, with motor 40 conditioned for reverse rotation and contacts of switch 66 closed, a circuit is vcompleted which will cause motor 40 to rotate worm 28 in reverse direction and returny stacker plate 2llV and its` undercarriage to the extreme upper position on unthreaded portion 3Q. The return of stacker plate 21 to this position will automatically raise slide member 50 to its upper position and, thus, condition the control circuits 'for the receipt of documents in the stacking pocket, as described heretofore. Alternative Stacking Device An alternative embodiment of mechanism for operating, adjusting 4and controlling the location of the stacker plate in the stacking pocket is illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 412. This embodiment eliminates the necessity 'for an electrically operated clutch to adjust the 4location of the stacker plate and incorporates a return device for the stacker plate from any position throughout the length of the stacker pocket. When the stacker plate -is to be lowered, a worm is intermittently energized through a mechanically operated clutch, and the stacker plate may be raised by engaging the plate with a continuously operating endless member engageable at any point in the stacker. Although this embodiment differs from the prior one in achieving stack Iformation, the structure for ejecting a formal stack is the same -for both embodiments and will not be redescribed.

Referring now to FlGS. 5, 6, and 7, there is illustrated a lower frame member 150 and an upper frame member 151, between which is secured plate 152, forming the rear wall of the stacking pocket. Plate 152 has rearwardly extending flanges 153 running partially lalong each edge to essentially form a guide track for undercarriage .15d of the stacker plate. Undercarriage 154 moves in a vertical path within the limits of the anges and carries thereon the stacker plate to be described hereinafter. Secured to the rear of support member 151 is a pair of support plates 155 and 156 in which shafts 157 and l158- are journaled for rotation. Shaft 157 is continuously `operated by motor 159 lthrough gear or belt reduction 165i. The operati-on of shaft 158 will be described below. Also journaled in plate 156 is shaft 161 extending to the right int-o gear box 162, which is mounted on frame member 151. Shaft 157 has mounted thereon, for free rotation relative to the shaft, bevel `gear 163 having its hub secured to one plate `of a friction clutch 164. Secured to the shaft for rotation therewith is the remaining plate 165 of the friction clutch. Also secured to shaft 157 is pulley 166, which operates as a `drive pulley for endless flexible belt 167 shown thereon.

Meshed with bevel `gear 1631s bevel gear 163 mounted on shaft 169 as shown in FIG. 6 in worm gear box 162. Shaft 169` is free to rotate in the housing of gear box 162 and has fixed thereon worm 171 in-engagement with gear 172, :gear 172 being fixed to shaft 161 to rotate the shaft. As best shown in FIGURE 5, shaft 161 also has iixed thereon hub 173 of sprocket 174. To the left of sprocket 174 and mounted for free rotation on shaft -161 is a double id-ler pulley 175, for belt l167, and cam 176 attached to the idler pulley 175; the cam and pulley will thus rotate freely on shaft 161 at the speed at which pull-ey 175 is driven by pulley 166 through belt 167.

Referring now to the bottornof FIGURE 5, a bracket 177 is fixed to frame member 15) and secured in the bracket is shaft 178k having mounted thereon spacer 179, freely rotatable sprocket 180, freely rotatable pulley 151, and collar 182 xed to the shaft.` It is to be noted that sprocket 18) and pulley 181 may rotate independently of each other. Endless member 133, for example, a roller chain, is mounted between sprockets 174 and 180 for rotation thereabout. Belt 167, preferably having a circular cross section is mounted on pulley 166, double groove pulley and lower pulley v181, and is crossed yas Y shown in FIG. 9 to move in the direction of the arrow. The manner in which'the chain tand belt are driven will be briefly discussed. it' will be remembered thatV for instance, by a pawl, for permitted torotate freely with.

clutch plate 1165. Since bevel gear 163 is secured to clutch plate 164 and if rotation is permitted, bevel 'gear 163 `will drive bevel Vgear 168, thus rotating worm- 171 engaged with spur gear 172 which in lturn rotates sprocket 174 drivingy chain 18,3 =on freely rotatable sprocket 180.V

The rotation of shaft 157 is selected so that chain 183 rotates in a clockwisev direction, `as shown in FIGURE 6,

plate, as will later be described.

er so that the right-hand side of the chain in that figure moves downwardly. Thus, the chain will continue to Stacker plate (FIG. 6) is supported for movement i by an undercarriage, indicated generally as 154. The undercarriage is comprised of a U-shaped body portion having a surface 191 in the stacking pocket proper with rearwardly extending ear portions 192 and 193 straddling rear panel 152 of the sta-cking pocket. As seen in the figure, shaft 194- -in-terconnects ears 192 and shaft 155 interconnects ears 193 of the U-shaped member '191. A pair of rol-Iers 196 is mounted on shaft 1%, the rollers being free to rotate fon the shaft 4and held positionedfon the shaft by any suitable means, such as pins or collars. A single roller 197 is mounted yon the lower shaft 195, alsoV free to rotate on its shaft and suitably located along the shaft. Mounted between ears 193 on the front side of panel 152 (right side, FIG. 6) is another shaft 198 also having a pair of freely rotatable rollers 19% spaced there- I on. An L-shaped bracket 2G11 is secured to the inside surface of body member 191 and extends upwardly and to the right to aid in supporting stacker plate 199. Thus, undercan'iage 154 can be easily rolled up and down the channel formed by lian-ges 153` on panel 152.

Stacker plate 19t) is pivotally mounted on undercarriage 154 by means of a pair of downwardly bent ears 2M, which are attached to shaft 194. The stacker plate has the U or V-shaped cutout similar to that out-out 35 shown for stacker plate .21 in the iirst embodiment in FIG. l. Stacker plate 190 has cut-out 29:2 (iF-IG. 8)

suflicient to straddle panel 152 and its flanges 153 and` permit limitedv rotation of the stacker plate about shaft 1194 of the undercarriage. The stacker plate has a rearwardly extending portion 203 having a slot 2G4- with a slotted collar 297 aligned therewith, each having an opening slightly larger than the diameter of belt 167 through which the belt passes. Stacker plate 196 is pivotally urged Aaway from L-shape'd bracket 2G()` by means of a compression spring 205 `(FIG. 9) supported in a cup-like member 206 depending from L-shaped bracket 256. When there are no cards on stacker plate 199, compression spring 205 is sufficient to rotate the stackerplate upwardly away lfrom L-shaped bracket 200, the reason lfor this appearing below. l

Referring again to FIGS. 5, 6y and 7, undercarriage 154, with stacker plate 191) mounted thereon, is resiliently connected to chain 183 'for movement therewith by a pawl V210 rotatably mounted on shaft -194- land urgedl into engagement with the chain by means of spring 211. rAs best seen in 7,.'a boxlike structure mounted on` shafts V194i and 195 has slots 212 in the upper and lower 'wallsV thereof through lwhich chain 1'83fpasses and is covered by .a wall 213 secured by screws to the walls ofthe boty Wall 213 ser-ves as a stable supportlttorY chain 183 as -a pawl 210 `is urged against fthe chain. Itk Y will be noted from FIG. 7 that the undercarriagey 154 is like structure.

prevented from moving downward'relative to thechain by lthe engagement of pawl 210 with the links of chain Y181'. However, undercarriage 154 may be yfreely movedv'up' ward relative to the chain, since pawl `21() isV free to ratcheton the individual links of the chain. Therefore, undercarriage 154 carrying stacker plate190 will-move downwardly only when the chain is moved by permitting clutch plate 164 to rotate with its mating clutch plate 1675.l As shown and described'for the `irst embodiment of rthe Belt 167 is threaded around idler pulleys 175 and invention, documents D are deposited on stacker pla-te '190 and as the documents accumulate thereon in the form of a stack S the stacker plate must be llowered intermittently to accumulate additional documents. From the above description, the lowering of stacker plate 190 is accomplished by the release of clutch pressure plate 164 of the friction clutch comprised of plates 165 and :164. The release of clutch plate 164 is accomplished by two controls, either by an arm 236 constantly sensing the level of documents in stack S, or by a transfer control rod 260.

rIhe first control mechanism for clutch pressure plate 164, the level sensing and joggling ar-m 230, is shown in FIGS. 9, and 1l. This mechanism also serves an additional function of joggling the documents endwise as they enter the stack-ing pocket; the joggling slightly agitates the docu-ments to permit them to settle more evenly and to align them along the outside edge adjacent the eject receptacle. Longitudinal alignment is desirable lfor eventual transfer into a file tray which is usually only slightly wider than the length of individual documents.

Referring now to the figures, there is shown an inverted U-shaped block 220 having a shaft 223 extending between the sides of the block. Recesses 224 are cut in the depending sides of the block below shaft 223, and a compression spring 225 is mounted therein. Pivotally mounted on shaft l223 is an L-shaped lever 226 having an elongated hole 227 at the pivot point. Depending end 228 of lever 226 has attached thereto by means of screws 229, a joggling arm 230 to form in effect a bell-crank. The joggling arm is deformed to the right, FIGS. 9 and lil, and hasl a document patting portion 231 which normally extends into the stacking pocket through hole 232 cut in the back wall 152 of the stacking pocket. Mounted on flange 233 of joggling arm L30 is a shaft A234 on which is mounted free running wheel 235. Since L-shaped lever 226, and, hence, joggling arm 230 are pivoted on shaft 223, spring 225 urges wheel 235 against cam -176 attached to pulley 175 and freely rotatable with the pulley on shaft 161 (FIG. 5). lt will be recalled that pulley -1-75 with cam 176 attached thereto is driven constantly -by pulley 166 and belt 167. Normally, ywith no restriction on the document pattin-g portion 231 of joggler 230, spring 225 forces L-shaped lever 226 toward the left in FIG. l1 so that the lever pivots about the rear of elongated hole 227. As cam 176 rotates against wheel 235, joggling lever 230 oscillates into and out of the stacking pocket and end 236 of lever 226 oscillates as shown by the double arrow in FIG. 9. The oscillation 'of the end 236, however, does not clear projection 237. In FIG. 9", it will be seen that as documents D enter the stacking pocket one end of the documents will be patted byportion 231 of joggling lever 236 and force the document against a plate 245 to successively 'align each document on the right end. -Plate 245 extends downwardly from a frame member -246 only sufficiently to align incoming documents and not interefere with stack removal. The documents then fall to the top of the accumulated stack S; however, when the top of document stack S builds up to the point at which portion 2351 of joggler 230 engages a plurality of documents simultaneously, the inertia of the stack is sufficient to prevent joggler 230 from oper-ating.

When joggling lever portion 231 is restricted in its movement, the point of contact between joggling member 23? and stack S then becomes a fulorum causing lever 226 to move to the right (FIG. 11) in elongated hole 227 on shaft 223 compressing spring 225. As this occurs, hookend 236 of lever 226 reciprocates horizontally instead of continuing its vertical oscillations, and as it moves to the right in FIG. ll it contacts projection 237 on bushing 2318 which is freely rotatable on shaft 15S. The resulting clockwise rotation of bushing 23S causes a second projection 239, fixed to bushing 238, to also move in a clockwise direction disengaging stop pawl 240 on clutch pressure plate 164. This releases the friction clutch so that bevel gear v163 (FIG. 5) is free to rotate with shaft 1157 and, in turn rotate mating bevel gear =168 to turn sprocket 174 causing chain 183 to move in vthe direction of the arrow indicated in FIG. 6. Thus, stacker plate 191i and undercanriage .154 will be lowered. -As soon as stacker plate 190, having stack S thereon, has been suiciently lowered to carry the top of the stack out of contact 'with the projection 231 of joggler `2301, spring 225 (FIG. 11) forces lever 226 to the left permitting projection 239 to engage pawl 240 on clutch pressure disc y164 because of the tension of spring 241. This'action thus prevents bevel gear i163 from rotating and stacker plate 190 is prevented from moving lower in the stacking pocket. Spring -241 attached to bushing 238 vand a fixed member (not shown) constantly urges bushing 238 in a clockwise direction and projection 239 into engagement with pawl 240. Thus, joggler 230 constantly taps the deposited documents and simultaneously senses the level of the stack on stacker plate i to thereby control the adjustment of the stacker plate in accordance with the number of accumulated documents thereon.

The second control mechanism for releasing clutch plate 164 is a transfer control rod 260 shown in FIGS. 5, 9, and l0. This control trod may be moved downwardly to release friction clutch plate 164 and override the control of joggler 230. Rod 260 is supported for vertical movement in holes in a pair of aligned brackets 261 and 262 secured to the rear of pocket wall 152 by screws. A threaded upper end 263 of the control rod extends through a loose fitting hole in arm 264 fixed to bushing 238 and is held so located by a pair of lock nuts 265i, The lower end 266 of the control rod extends below the lower bracket 262 and has a horizontal portion 267 which extends -into the path of travel of shaft of undecarriage 154. Control rod 260 is spring biased upward by compression spring 268 acting between bracket 262 and collar 269' on the control rod. Spring 268 normal-ly holds the horrizontal portion 267 ofthe rod against the bottom of bracket l262 to prevent inadvertent rotation of bushing 238. The bottom of bracket 262 -is vertically located so that the horizontal portion 267 twill be engaged by. shaft '195 just prior Vto the time stacker plate 190 yreaches the point at which the accumulated document stack is transferred to eject receptacle 25 by transfer plate 86 in FIG. y1.

As stacker plate 190 is intermittently lowered by the operation of joggler 230, shaft i195 will engage horizontal rod portion 1267, pulling rod 260 downward against the action of spring 26S. Upper end 263 of the rod will engage arm 264 and rotate bushing 238 clockwise in FIG. 9

fto release clutch plate 164,' overriding the action of joggling arm `230 and causing chain 183 to rotate and lower stacker plate 190. Since the vertical position of transfer plate 86 is fixed and will intercept the document stack, stacker plate '190 need be lowered only until its upper surface moves below the transfer plate. Therefore, =a positive stop 270 for undercarriage 154 is provided on rear wall 152 at the lower limit of movement of the control Irod to stop the downward travel of the stacker plate. As shaft 195 engages stop 27), pawl 210 (FIG. 7) will ratchet against moving chain i183 until the document stack is removed from the stacker plate by the above described eject mechanism and the undercarriage moves upward to release control rod 260.

There is provided for this embodiment, as lfor the first embodiment, a circuit which is energized just prior to the point of stack transfer to interrupt the document feeding mechanism and terminate the deposition or" documents in the stacking pocket. Once the circuit is energized, it will remain in that condition until stacker plate ground through battery B, line 255, switch 250, and the Y 15 pick coil of relay R3 to ground and energize relay R3. When relay R3 is activated, it will open contacts a and break the circuit to clutch CL of the feeding mechanism to stop document feeding; at the same time, relay R3 will close contacts b in the hold circuit of the relay to complete a circuit from ground, battery B, line 256, switch 252, `contacts b and the hold coil of relay R3 to Iground. The relay will remain in an operated condition until switch 252 is opened. Switch 252 is located on rear wall 152 and is normally closed. However, when undercarriage 154 is returned to its upper extreme of travel, shaft 194 rocks arm 253 of switch 252 to momentarily open switch 252 and deenergize the hold coil of relay R3. Switch 25d, being `normally open, will have opened as soon as undercarriage 154 started to move upward.

in this embodiment, the return of stacker plate 19d from its extreme lower position to its extreme upper position is automatic either when a full document stack has been removed or when a partial document stack has been removed. The manner in which this automatic return is accomplished will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 8 and 9. When the stacker plate and its undercarriage are in the extreme upper position, documents are deposited on the stacker plate in the form of a stack and the weight of a :few of these documents overcomes spring 205 and forces stacker plate 19t) to assume a horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 9. The stacker plate and its undercarria-ge will be carried downwardly by the action of chain 133 until the document stack comes to rest on transfer plate 8G of the eject receptacle. The presence `of documents on transfer plate S causes eject receptacle 25 to move outwardly to its eject position, thus removing the documents from the stacker plate. This action permits spring 26S to rotate stacker plate 190 about shaft 1.94 on which it is pivoted, causing the stacker plate to contort and `frictionally lgrip continuously running belt 167 by means of slot 264 an-d slotted collar 207 on the underside of rear portion 23 of the stacker plate. The frictional engagement is suliicient to transport undercarriage 154 and stacker plate 196 to their extreme upper positions. Disengagement of the stacker plate `from belt 167 occurs when the upper surface of stacker plate 190 comes into contact -with ear 242, which forces stacker plate 19t) to rotate in a clockwise direction and assume 'a nearly horizontal position. EiGS. 5 and 9, is shown attached to rear panel 152 but extending outward farther than ilanges 153 of the rear panel. During the return of stacker plate 190, pawl 210 (FIG. 7) ratchets against the links of chain 183 and the action of spring 211 as it traverses the return path. As the stacker plate lbecomes disengaged -from belt 167, pawl 21@ prevents the stacker plate and its undercarriage from dropping lbecause of immediate engagement with one of the chain links. As the deposition of documents on the stacker plate is resumed by the temporary opening of switch 252, described above, the accumulating stack depresses the stacker plate to a horizontal position. Thus,`

the stacker plate is again lowered under the control of joggling arm 231i. When a partial stack of documents is removed fro-m the' stacker plate in this embodiment, :the stacker plate will automatically return from any intermediate position to the extreme upper position ready to :resume stacking operation because spring 2115 is sensitive :to the absence of documents on the stacker plate and will trotate the stacker plate about its support 194 to friction- `'ally engage continuously running belt 167.

As already described for the first embodiment, there is provided an interlock circuit to ensure that the stacker plate, hearing stack S, does not reach the transfer position in the event that the stack receptacle 25 (FIGS. l a-nd 3) is not in position to receive the newly-forrned document stack. The interlock cincuit is similar to that in the first embodiment and will bedescribed for this .embodiment with reference to FIGS. 5 and 12. The

Ear 242, illustrated inV 16 circuit includes a normally open switch 13d located on back panel 152 (FIG. 5) a short distance above the stack transfer point. Arm 131 on switch 13) is operated each cycle of stacker plate movement to close the switch in series with relay R1. A second switch in series with switch 13d is normally closed switch 132, lwhich has not been shown in this embodiment but is locatedin such a manner as to be opened by receptacle 25 when the receptacle is in a stack receiving position. Switch 132 may be similar to that described in the first embodiment in FIGURE l. If stack receptacle 25 is in the eject position, and undercarriage 154 approaches the transfer position, both switches 13d. and 13.2 will be closed, causing relay R1 to be energized and open contact points c to interrupt the circuit of clutch CL. However, if the stack receptacle is in its proper transfer position, the closing of switch 130 by shaft 195 will have no effect since switch 132 will be open. As seen in FIG. 12, both switches must be closed at the same time to provide a circuit from .ground through battery B, switch 132, switch 131, the coilV of relay R1, and back to ground. When the relay is energized, document feeding is terminated so thatfthe stacker plate will not be moved to the stack transfer position. Thus, as soon as a document stack has been removed from stack receptacle 25, the stack receptacle will return to its stack transfer postion and open switch 132, which will rbreak the circuit to relay R1, permitting contacts c to 'close and reenergize the clutch to operate the document feeding mechanism.

It is contemplated that various interchanges of structural elements may 'be made between the first and second embodiments of the stack-forming devices above-described. For instance, the joggler may beadapted to control worm 28 (FIG. l) of the first embodiment by i providing a constantly rotating power source at the top of the stacking pocket and driving worm 2S from the y top through a clutch. Alternatively, sensing switch 65 (FIG. l) may be used to control an electromagnetic clutch substituted for the friction clutch shown in the second embodiment.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may* tbe made therein without departing rfrom the spirit and v scope of the invention.

4I claim: Y 1. A device of the class described in which documents are 'deposited by a feeding mechanism, comprising, in

combination: a document pocket including a stationary portion and a portion movahle relative to said stationary portion, said portions cooperating to define walls of the pocket; 'forming means providing a movable end plate which is moved in response to the quantity of documents accumulating onfthe end plate; a support mem-ber for said movable portion tiltable from one position to a second position and resiliently biased in said one position; j

and imeans on said movable portion responsive to predetermined movement of said end plate for removing said documents from said plate to said movable portion causing said support member to tilt to said second position and carry said movable portion laway from said stationary portion. Y n

2. A device for automatically removing a stackof record documents from a stacking pocket in which the documents are being accumulated, comprising: infcombination, a support means fior said accumulating stack of documents having at least one opening therein and movaible from a iirst Iposition to a second position, adjusting means for moving said support means, control means constantly sensing 'the level of said stack for actuatfor an accumulated quantity of documents said receiving means including an intercepting member in alignment with and adapted to pass through said opening to intercept said accumulated documents as said support means reaches said second position, said receiving means being pivotally movable between an intercept position and an eject position, and resilient means restraining said receiving means in said intercept position, adapted to be overcome when said documents are intercepted by said intercepting member whereby the interception of said accumulated documents causes said receiving means to overcome the restraint thereon and move to said eject position.

3. A device for automatically forming and ejecting a stack yof a predetermined quantity of record documents in a machine depositing said documents in a stacking pocket, each said document having a finite weight, comprising: variable support means in said pocket, movable from ya first position to a second position as said documents accumulate thereon; adjusting means for said support means constantly sensing the level of said accumulating documents, for varying the l-ocation of said support means between said two positions to maintain the level of said accumulating documents between predetermined l-imits; a receptacle for receiving an accumulated stack lof documents; pivota-ble base means on said pocket for said receptacle, including resilient supports, movable between a transfer position and an eject position in response t-o the weight of documents deposited in said receptaole, said base means being ynormally maintained in said transfer position; means for terminating said deposition of documents after a predetermined quantity has accumulated on said support means; and means for transferring said documents from said support means to said receptacle causing said base to move and carry said receptacle to said eject position in response to the Weight of said documents.

4. A device for automatically forming a predetermined quantity of documents in la stacking pocket and ejecting said stack therefrom, said documents being deposited in said pocket by a feeding mechanism, comprising: support means in said pocket on which said documents are deposited to `accumulate as a stack, said support means being movable between a iirst position and a second position; adjusting means to vary the location of said support means between said two positions; control means constantly sensin-g the level of said deposited documents and operiative to actuate said adjusting means and maintain the level of documents between predetermined limits; a receptacle for receiving a document stack; a pivotable base means on said pocket for supporting said receptacle adjacent and parallel to said pocket in a transfer position and angularly displaced from said pocket in .an eject position; resilient means urging said base means to support said receptacle in said transfer position and adapted to be overcome when said receptacle contains a stack of documents; 'and intercept means on said receptacle for intercepting said deposited documents and transferring said documents as a stack from said support means to said receptacle when said support means reaches its said second position.

5. The device as described in claim 4 further comprising means operated by said support means to terminate said deposition of documents in said stacking pocket as said support means reaches said second position; and means responsive to the .absence of documents on said support means for returning said support means to said iirst position.

6. A device for automatically ejecting an accumulated stack of documents from a stacking pocket in which said documents are being deposited by la feeding mechanism, comprising document stacking means for said documents in said pocket, movable -fr'om a first position to a second position as said documents accumulate; a base means connected to said pocket movable from a trans-fer position to lan eject position; an elongated receptacle on said base means tor receiving a stack of documents, equal at least in length to the path of travel of said movable stacking means, and disposed parallel to said pocket when said base means is in said tnansfer position; resilient supporting means for maintaining said base means in said transfer position, adapted to be overcome when a document stack is contained in said receptacle to permit said lbase means to move to said eject position; `and :a transfer plate on said receptacle disposed transversely :Within said pocket lfor transferring said documents from said stacking means to said receptacle when said stacking means reaches said second position.

7. A device for ejecting a stack of record documents, 'containing .a predetermined quantity of said documents, Ifrom a stacking pocket in which said documents are being deposited, said pocket having a document support therein movable according to the quantity of documents accumulated thereon, comprising: a receptacle tor receiving a stack of documents: a pivot yon said pocket; base means for said receptacle mounted on said pivot and movable in an arcuate path between a transfer position and an eject position, yieldable means for maintaining said base means in said transfer position adapted to be overcome by the weight of documents in said receptacle, and transfer means on said receptacle for transferring said document stack from said movable support to said receptacle when said movable support reaches a predetermined position and when said base means is in said transfer position, causing said base means to move to said eject position carrying said receptacle and said stack of documents.

8. A device for ejecting la predetermined quantity of record documents as a stack trom a stacking pocket in which said documents are being deposited, said pocket having a supp-ort for said documents and being movable lfrom the iirst position to a second position Ias said documents accumulate thereon, comprising: a receptacle for holding a stack of documents, a base member mounted for arcuate movement between a transfer position and an eject position, `an element Iattached to said receptacle and adapted to move in said base member between one position and another position, yield-able means maintaining said element in said one position, adapted to be overcome rwhen said base member is in said eject position and a stack of documents is in said receptacle, resilient means tor maintaining sai-d base member in said transfer position and adapted t-o be overcome when said receptacle contains a stack of documents, and transfer means on said receptacle dis-posed in the path of said movable support when said base member is in its said transfer position and when said element is in its said one position, for trans- -ferring said document stack from saidy support to said receptacle when said support reaches its said second position, whereby said base member is caused to move to its said eject position and said element is cau-sed to move to said oth-er position, carrying said stack trom said support.

9. A device for ejecting a predetermined quantity of record documents as a stack from a stacking pocket in which said documents are being deposited, said pocket having therein a support for said documents movable from a irst position to a second position as documents accumulate on said support, comprising a receptacle for holding a stack yof documents, base means for said receptacle movable between a transfer position and an eject position, resilient means for maintaining said base means in said transfer position adapted to be overcome when said receptacle contains a document stack, means for retaining a document stack in said receptacle, movable from a stored position toa utile position, gripping means lon said base means for moving said retaining means to saidV utile position when said base means is in its said eject position, and transfer means on said receptacle, disposed in the path of said movable support and said stack when said base means is in said transfer position, for transferring said stack from said support to said receptacle as 'i 9 said support reaches its said second position, whereby said base means carries said receptacle and said stack 4to said eject position and moves said retaining means -to its said utile position.

10. A device for ejecting a stack of reco-rd documents from a stacking pocket in which said documents are being accumulated and for emptying said ejected documents from said device, said stacking pocket having therein a document support movable from a first position to a second position as said documents accumulate as a stack thereon, comprising; a recepatcle for holding a stack of record documents, a member mounted for movement between a transfer position and an eject position, a base element movable on said member between one position and another position and pivotally attached to said receptacle, yieldable means for maintaining said base element in said one position, adapted to permit said base element to move to said other position when said member is in said eject position and a stack of documents is in said receptacle, resilient means 4for maintaining said member in said transfer position and adapted to allow said member to move to said eject position when said receptacle contains a stack of documents, and transfer means on said receptacle, disposed in the path of said document suppo-rt and said accumulated documents when said member is 4in said transfer position and said base element -is in its said one position, for transferring said document stack from said support to said receptacle as said support reaches its said second position, causing said member to move to its said eject position and said base element to move to its said other position, whereby said receptacle may be pivoted about said base element for emptying said receptacle,

1l. A device for forming a stack of record documents in a stacking pocket and ejecting said stack therefrom, said documents being individually deposited in said pocket by a feeding mechanism, comprising: a document support means variable between first and second positions along a fixed path and on which said deposited documents accumulate to generate a stack, movable adjusting means yfor varying the location of said support means from said first position to said second position, said adjusting means including an endless flexible member, one-way connective means on said support means engaging said flexible member, a rotary power source, a selectively operable clutch means for connecting said power source with said adjusting means, control means, including means for constantly sensing 'the level of said documents on said Support means, for selevtively operating said clutch means to intermittently move said adjusting means and maintain the level of said stack within predetermined limits, a receptacle for receiving a stack of documents, resiliently supported receptacle base means for holding said receptacle in a stack-transfer position and adapted to move to a stack-eject position when said receptacle contains a document stack, transfer means on said receptacle, effective when said receptacle is in said transfer position and support means reaches its said second position to intercept said accumulated stack of documents and transfer said stack to said receptacle, causing said base means to move to said eject position.

` l2. A device as described in claim l1 further including means operable only after transfer of said document stack for returning said support means to said 1first position.

13. A device for forming a stack of record documents in a stacking pocket and removing said stack therefrom, said documents being deposited in said pocket by a feeding mechanism, comprising, in combination, a source of rotary power; a first adjusting means movable in a first direction; document support means in Vsaid pocket on which said documents accumulate, said support means being adjustable between a first position and a second position; connective means interconnecting said support means with said adjusting means for movement there- 2Q with; control means detecting the level of documents on said support means for intermittently coupling said first adjusting means with said power source, said control means including a shaft on said pocket, a first arm pivotally mounted on said shaft having a sensing portion thereon, a clutch for coupling said power source with said first adjusting means, disengaging means for said clutch so biased to disengage said clutch, a second arm supported on said first arm adjacent said disengaging means and operative to overcome said bias to engage said clutch, a cam rotated by said power source, a cam follower on said first arm operated by said cam to oscillate said first arm about said pivot and move said sensing portion into and out of said pocket, so that when said document stackk is present said oscillating sensing portion is restricted causing said first arm to move said second arm to overcome said bias; receptacle means for receiving a stack of documents, movable from a transfer position to an eject position when a stack is contained therein; transfer means on said receptacle means disposed in the path of said document stack on said support means when said receptacle means is in said transfer position, operable at said second posi-tion of said support means to transfer said stack to said receptacle means, second adjusting means connected to said power source and moving in a second direction; and means on said support means responsive to the absence of said transferred document stack for engaging said adjusting means yto return said stack toward said first position.

14. A device for increasing the capacity of a stacker pocket as documents are deposited therein 'and for reducing the capacity of said pocket when no documents are contained therein, comprising a source of rotary power, first adjusting means movable in a first direction, -a movable document support means in said pocket adjustable between la rst position and a second position, connective means engaging said support means with said first adjustable means for movement therewith towards said second position, control means detecting the level of said documents on said support means for intermittently coupling said power source with said first adjusting means to maintain the level of said documents within predetermined limits, second adjusting means moving constantly in a second direction, and frictional gripping means on said support means operable to enga-ge said second adjustable means in response to the absence of documents on said support means, to move said support means towards said first position.

.15. A device for `varying the position of a document support in a stacking pocket yaccording to the quantity of documents contained the-rein, comprising a rotary power source, first adjusting means movable in` a first direction, said adjusting means including a first rotatable endless flexible member, positionable document support means 'adjustable between a first position and a second position, lone-way connective means engaging said support means with said flexible member for movement therewith towards said second position, control means detecting the level of said documents on said supp-ort meansfor intermittently coupling said power source with said first adjusting means for rotation in said first direction to maintain the level of said documents within predetermined limits, second adjusting means engaged withVr said power source and moving in a second direction, includ-ing a second rotatable end-less flexible member, and means responsive to the absence of documents on said support means for frictionally engaging said second adjusting means to move said support means towards said firstY :a support means said pocket on which said .de--V posited documents accumulate;

2l said support means having an opening therein and movable from a rst position to a second position; receptacle means in said pocket having a transfer member thereon in alignment with said opening in said first support and adapted to pass therethrough as said support means enters its said second position, said documents thereby being transferred to said transfer member, -said receptacle means being pivotally movable from a transfer position to an eject position;

resilient means restraining 4said receptacle means in said transfer position, said resilient means being strong enough to support the receptacle in said .transfer position when said documents are on said support means and Iadapted to be .overcome when the weight of said documents is transferred to said transfer member;

control means for causing said iirst support means to move from said iirst position towards said second position as said documents accumulate on said rst support means, whereby the lWeight of said documents is transferred to said transfer member as said first support means enters its second position, so that the force of said resilient restraining means is overcome and said receptacle means pivotally moves lto said eject position.

l17. A device for automatically forming a stack of record documents in a stacking pocket and ejecting said stack therefrom, said documents being deposited in said pocket by a feeding mechanism, comprising:

a support means in said pocket on which said documents are deposited, movable between a rst position and a second position;

an intermittently actuatable worm mechanism for varying the location of said support means within said pocket between said two positions;

control means including la pivotally mounted member constantly sensing the level of accumulated documents on said support means for intermittently actuating said worm mechanism to vary the location of said support means;

|a receptacle means including a base means pivotally mounted in said pocket for angular movement relative to said pocket between a transfer position and an eject position;

a transfer member connected to said base means, said transfer member disposed transversely within said pocket when said receptacle is in said transfer position for intercepting said accumulated documents as said support means enters its said second position;

resilient means restraining said receptacle means in said transfer position, said resilient means being strong enough to support the receptacle in said transfer position when said documents are on said support means and vadapted to be overcome when the weight of said documents is transferred to said transfer member thereby allowing said receptacle means to move to said eject position as said support means enters said second position.

I18. A device for forming a stack of record documents in a stacking pocket and removing said stack therefrom, said documents being deposited in said pocket by a feeding mechanism, comprising:

a support means in said pocket having at least one opening therein and movable betweena iirst position and a second position as said documents accumulate as a stack thereon;

said support means having an engaging element attached thereto;

la power source;

means for adjusting said support between said two positions including a movable endless flexible member engageable with said element;

control means, including sensing means to sense the ievel of said stack ron said su adjusting means to move said endless iiexible member so as to maintain the level of said stack within predetermined llimits;

receptacle means for said accumulating stack movable from a transfer position to an eject position when a stack is placed thereon;

fa transfer member in said receptacle disposed in the path of said opening in said support for transferring said accumulated stack to said receptacle means when said support reaches said second position;

and resilient means restraining said receptacle means in said transfer position, said resilient means being strong enough to support the receptacle in said transfer position when said documents are on said support means and adapted to be overcome when the weight of said documents is transferred to said transfer member, thereby allowing said receptacle means to move to said eject position as said support means enters said second position.

19. A device for forming a stack of record documents in `a stacking pocket and removing said stack from said pocket, said documents being deposited in said pocket by a feeding mechanism, comprising:

a support means in said pocket having at least one opening therein and on which said docuuments accumulate as a stack yand adapted to move in a fixed path between a iirst and secon-d position;

an endless flexible member mounted for rotation;

driving means for said endless exible member;

engaging means connecting said support with said endless exible member;

a rotary power source;

clutch means operable for engaging said power source with said driving means;

control means, including detecting means to detect the level of said accumulating stack, for intermittently operating said clutch means to notate said endless flexible member and move said support means ltoward said second position to maintain said stack level Within predetermined limits.

receptacle means for said stack movable between a transfer position and an eject position when a Stack of documents is contained therein;

a transfer member attached to said receptacle means and disposed in the path of said opening in said support means when said receptacle means is in said transfer position, for transferring the stack from said support means to said transfer member and therefore said receptacle means as said support means reaches its said second position;

and resilient means restraining said receptacle means in said transfer position, said resilient means being strong enough to support the receptacle in said transfer position when said documents are on said support `and adapted to be overcome when the Weight of said documents is transferred to said transfer member, thereby allowing said receptacle means to move to said eject position-as said support means enters said second position.

20. A device for automatically forming a stack of documents in a stacking pocket and removing said stack therefrom, said documents being deposited in said pocket by a feeding mechanism, comprising:

a source of rotary power;

first adjusting means movable in a Iirst direction,

toward a second position;

document support means in said pocket having at least one opening therein and on which said documents accumulate as a stack, said support means being adjustable between a first position and said second position;

connective means interconnecting said support means with said rst adjusting means formovement therewith;

control means, including means for dynamically detecting the level of documents on said support means, for intermittently coupling said rst adjusting means with said power source to maintain the level of said documents within predetermined limits;

receptacle means for receiving a stack of documents, movable from a transfer position to an eject position when said stack is contained therein;

transfer means on said receptacle means disposed in the path of said opening in said support means and thereby said document stack when said receptacle means is in said transfer position and operable at sai-d second position of said suppont means to transfer lsaid stack to said receptacle means;

resilient means restraining said receptacle means in said transfer position, said resilient means being strong enough to support the receptacle in said transier position when said documents are on said suppont and adapted to be overcome when the weight of said documents is transferred to said receptacle means, thereby allowing said receptacle means to move to said eject position as said support means enters said second position; n

second adjusting means connected to said power source and moving in a second direction; t

and means on said support means responsive to the absence of said document stack for engaging said second adjusting means -to return said support means toward said rst position, whereby said support means is returned to said rst position when said stack is transferred to said receptacle means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,205,767 Lamb June 25, 1940 2,579,541 Bobst Dec. 25, 1951 2,645,476- Wood et al July 14, 1953 20 2,668,626 Stuioenberg Peb. 9, 1954 

1. A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBE IN WHICH DOCUMENTS ARE DEPOSITED BY A FEEDING MECHANISM, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A DOCUMENT POCKET INCLUDING A STATIONARY PORTION AND A PORTION MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID STATIONARY PORTION, SAID PORTIONS COOPERATING TO DEFINE WALLS OF THE POCKET; FORMING MEANS PROVIDING A MOVABLE END PLATE WHICH IS MOVED IN RESPONSE TO THE QUANTITY OF DOCUMENTS ACCUMULATING ON THE END PLATE; A SUPPORT MEMBER FOR SAID MOVABLE PORTION TILTABLE FROM ONE POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION AND RESILIENT BIASED IN SAID ONE POSITION; AND MEANS ON SAID MOVABLE PORTION RESPONSIVE TO PREDETERMINED MOVEMENT OF SAID END PLATE FOR REMOVING SAID DOCUMENTS FROM SAID PLATE TO SAID MOVABLE PORTION CAUSING SAID SUPPORT MEMBER TO TILT TO SAID SECOND POSITION AND CARRY SAID MOVABLE PORTION AWAY FROM SAID STATIONARY PORTION. 